Interlocking fastener element



March 10, 1942.: T. G. MILLER 2,215,454

' INTERLOCKING FASTENER ELEMENT Filed July 17, 193'! a Sheets-Sheet 1 March 10, 1942. T. G. MILLER 7 2,2?5,454

INTERLOCKING FASTENER ELEMENT Filed July 17, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 :[HHI lllll Ill Hllll INVENTOR- Patented Mar. 10, 1942 INTERLOCKING FASTENER ELEMENT I Thomas G. -Miller, McDonald, Pa. I Application July -17, 1937, Serial No. 154,186 7 Claims. (01. 24-205) This invention relates to interlocking fastener elements and/or to element relationships, and to v procedure involved in fabricating, treating, and/or assembling them. This is a continuationin-part of my copending application Ser. No. 728,555, filed June 1, 1934, Patent No. 2,158,078.

In one aspect, my invention deals with the manufacture of fastener elements from longitudinal lengths of materials,- and particularly, from bar-like lengths. It also involves the fabrication and treatment of'fastener elements while their lateral faces are in an adjacent and opposite relationship with each other.

In another-aspect, my invention deals-with the provision of fastener elements whose design and/or construction is such that the elements may be readily fabricated from bar-like pieces of material.

An object of my invention has been the provision of new and/or simplified procedure for the manufacture, treatment, and/or assembly of clasps, fasteners, or other elements adapted for employment with fasteners.

Another object has been to provide procedure I whereby a plurality of elements may be more effectively handledduring fabrication, treatment, etc.

A further object has been to devise new and/or simplified forms of fastener elements, and particularly, to devise new forms of interlocks and/or interlocking relationships for the elements.

These and many other objects of my inven-, tion will appear to those skilled in' the art from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a longitudinal piece from which fastener elements may be provided, and illustrates a procedure;

Figure 2 is a side view in elevation showing a step involved in forming fastener elements from the piece of Figure 1, and also showing a partially-completed group of elements;

Figure 2a is a view similar to Figure 2 show ing an additional step in the forming operation;

Figure 3 is a front view in elevation taken along the line III-III of Figure 2a;

Figure 4 is a view illustrating another step in a forming procedure and shows a group of connected elements ready to be moved into a cooperative relationship with male and female die portions of an interlock forming device;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevational view taken along the line IV-IV- of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a sectional elevational view taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 4;

Figure 7 illustrates a step in a forming procedure and shows a plurality of connected elements in a forming relationship with respect to a forming device having suitable male and female die portions;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view in elevation illustrating another step in aforming procedure;

Figure 8a is a side view in elevation somewhat similar to Figure 7, butshowing a carrier tape associated with a group of elements and illustrating a modified procedure;

Figure 9 is a front elevation section through a group vof elements illustrating another method of manufacture Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing another step in the procedure illustrated in Figure -1;

, Figure 11 is an end cross-sectional view in elevation showing another step in the procedure shown in Figures 9 and 10;

Figure '12 is.a side view in elevation of a group of connected elements having a modified construction;

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the elements of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a front elevational section taken along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 12 showing another form of fastener element;

Figure 1.6 is a top plan view of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a front elevational section taken along the line XVII-XVII of Figure 15; 3O

Figure 17a is a view similar to Figure 17 ing a modified type of interlock;

Figure 18 is a front view in elevation of a fastener assembly employing fastener elements such as shown in Figures 12-14, inclusive;

Figure 19 is a side view in elevation of a section of a modified group of elements having special application to the use of resilient material,

showsuch as rubber;

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view in elevation along the line XXXX of Figure 19, and illustrates a method of attaching elements to a carrier strip;

Figure'21 is a side view similar to Figures 12 and 15 illustrating another form of my invention, and also, to the right of such, figure, showing how the elements of such a form will interlock in an assembly; a I

Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken along the line XXE[ QC[I of Figure 21; I

Figure 23 is a side view similar to Figure 21 showing another form of interlocking element;

Figure 24 is a sectional elevation taken along the line XXIV--XXIV of Figure 23;

further embodiment of my invention;

Figure 26 is a front perspective view of a fastener element having a guide track for a slider; Figure 27- is a sectional view through a group Figure is a side view in perspective of a of elements ofthe type of 'Figure26 in an interoperation of a slider therewith;

Figure 28 is a front view of the assembly of Figure 27;

Figure 29-is an end sectional view through a bar-like piece of material from which elements may be formed;

Figure 30 is an end sectional view through die, forging, or rolling members showing a procedure for making fastener elements from the material of Figure 29; and

Figure 31 is a side elevational view showin other steps involved in forming elements or in the further fabrication and/or treatment of elements such as shown in various figures.

Although I will hereinafter particularly describe procedure for mal ing and/or assembling fastener elements while tney are in a connected relationship, and pref arably, while their faces are in a laterally spaced and connected relationship, it will be apparent that they also may be handled while in an individual relationship. However, I find that the various operations may be materially simplified, speeded up, and made less costly by group-handling the elements.

In Figures 1-8a, inclusive, I have shown new element forms and procedure for making them. I preferably provide a bar-like length In of suitable material, such as aluminum, brass, stainless, non-corrosive or alloy steel, rubber, plastic, etc., that is cast, rolled, or fabricated into a piece whose side, top and bottom faces substantially correspond in shape and/or dimension to the desired edge-shape of the elements to be formed, see Figure 1. Of course, certain of the procedural steps may be modified somewhat if a rubber or plastic material is employed; heat treatment of the material whether a metal, rubber, or a plastic may also-be advantageous in some cases. Molding, casting, extruding, and other operations can be successfully employed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

The length ID has top and bottom portions that are to become the top and bottom edges of formed elements, and may be slotted out or formed with a recess such as indicated by the numeral I3 and the dotted lines of Figure 1. In Figure 1, the numeral ll denotes the portion of the bar that has side portions inclining outwardly and upwardly and which are to become the legs of individual elements. The purpose of the outward inclination of the portion II will be hereinafter pointed out.

I preferably form carrier recess portions or grooves, orin other words, separate the leg portions of a plurality of elements while they are in a connected form. Such step may be accomplished by a cutting operation, a stamping operation, or by a shaping, fabricating or rolling operation by which the bar I0 is formed (see, for example, Figures 29 and 30).

In Figures 2a and 3, I have shown a rotary milling cutter secured to a rotatable shaft 2| which is in turn journaled on the shaft 22. The cutter 20 may be moved longitudinally along the path indicated by the numeral l3 in Figure 1 to cut out carrier recess portions to the desired depth along the piece H! or the elements l2. Thus, the carrier recess portions of a plurality of elements may be simultaneously and quickly provided.

The individual elements l2 may be separated from adjacent elements by milling cutters l6 which are secured'to a rotating shaft l1. In

locked and assembled relationship showing the- Figure 2, I show the step of simultaneously separating and/or forming face portions of a plurality of elements; in Figure 20, I have shown the step of successively cutting out the spacing between the elements l2. The element-separating milling cutters l6 may,=of course, be entered from the bottom of the bar (top of the elements) as shown in Figures 1-3, inclusive, or from the longitudinal side portions thereof; also, as shown in Figure 8a, the cutters 16 may be entered from the top of the piece (bottom of the elements). The entrance of the cutters l6, of course, will depend to a great extent upon where connecting portions 15 are to be left between elements l2. However, in the embodiments of Figures 1-7, inclusive, I preferably leave the connected portions l5 adjacent the bottom portions of the carrier recess legs of the individual elements, in order that they may serve as reinforcing feet for the. leg portions and also as a continuous track for the side flanges of a slide fastener. The latter feature. is provided where the connecting portions l5 are left between the elements when they are mounted upon a carrier tape 3|.

- It is preferable to provide such connecting portionswitha thickness and/or characteristic such that they are somewhat flexible and/or resilient.

In Figure 4, I have shown a gang punch and die mechanism forsimultaneously forming a plurality of male and-female scoop or interlock portions IS on or in the lateral faces of the elements l2.

' group of elements is moved relatively to the gang punch and die mechanism into a cooperative I relationship therewith. The punch and die mechanism may include a plurality of spacedapart intermediate elements 26 and a pair of end elements 29 that are slidably mounted on a longitudinal shaft 25 and are resiliently held in a suitable spaced-apart relationship corresponding to the width of individual fastener elements l2 by suitable springs 28.

Figure '7 shows a group of connected elements being formed by the gang punch device or mechanism of Figure 4. That is, forming pressure is exerted upon blocks 30 in the direction indicated by the arrows b, and also if desired, pressure is exerted at positions and in the direction indicated by the arrows c. As a result, each element I2 is provided with a male scoop or interlock portion on one lateral face thereof and a female portion on the opposite face thereof. In withdrawing the elements l2 out of or away from the die mechanism, the pressure on the members 29 and 30 is released and the die members or elements 26 and 2$ are permitted to resiliently move longitudinally on their shaft 25 to prevent binding. Of course, the flexibility of the portions l5 will also aid in the removal of the elements.

A suitable carrier and cord member of fabric or other suitable material is inserted lengthwise of the group of connected members before or after the scoop or interlock portions 19 have been formed. As shown particularly in Figures 8 and 8a, a carrier 3| having suitable cords 32 is inserted in the carrier recess portions of a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart laterally-extending lug-connected elements and a pair of pressure plates 33 are employed to press opposite side edges of each element inwardly as indicated by the arrows d in Figure 8. As a result, the outward inclination of the bottom portions of the legs ll of each element are straightened and 'the inclination is transposed to the inner recess As indicated by the arrow a, the

ment I2. This, in effect, provides a wedge-like orinwardly-projecting bottom edge lock for each of the carrier re'cess portions. Although I preferably simultaneously press in and lock the recess or leg portions of the elements of an entire group, it will be apparent that the operation may also be accomplished by squeezing each of the individual elements of the group independently and/or successively.

In Figure 8a, I have shown a group of elements IZc having interlocks I50 and a connecting strip I adjacent the'interlocks. The connecting por-. tion I5f, if similar to the portion I5 of Figure 2a, can be removed by milling cutters I6. However, I prefer to employ a cutter blade I4 that moves along the longitudinal line m in the direction c where a strip such as I5 is provided.

In Figures 9-11, inclusive, I have shown a modified form of carrier recess construction in which the bottom portion-of an element In is provided with a somewhat centrally-located upwardly-inclined bottom ledge III. A rotating milling cutter 20a haying a somewhat conical or V outwardly-converging outline is then employed to cut through theportion l8 and to form the carrier recess; As shown in Figure 10, force or pressure exerted in the direction of the arrow e by a pressure plunger 35 upon the bottom edge of the element I2a will transpose the small nib or projecting lip on either side edge "portion or ledge I8 adjacent the recess portion of the elemeat from the outside edge to an inner edge. As shown particularly in Figure 11, this gives an increased closing effect adjacent the bottom portion of an element l2a. That is, the closing action of tlf members 33 in the direction of the arrows d not only transposes the inclination of the outer side edges to the inner portions of the carrier recesses, but also in effect adds the inclination of the portion l8 thereto. This results, of course, in a tighter and closer grip of the carrier member 3|.

In Figures 12-14, inclusive, I have shown a method of making wedge-shaped elements I2b having inwardly tapering or inclining planar lateral face portions. I have also shown a modified form of interlock I9b. Since the wedge or taper shape of each element, in effect, prevents ele-' ments of an interlocking group from pulling apart laterally of the opening in an article, the interlock ISb may be open to thetop edge of the element. Thus, -the wedge shape of the elements in efi'ect constitutes a part of the interlock, while the portion ISb prevents the elements of an interlocking assembly from being pulled apart outwardly or inwardly or at right angles to the surface of the opening in the article (edgewise of the elements). The interlock I9b may be of any suitable shape, although I prefer therounded',

half-cylindrical shape shown, in order'that the elements will work smoothly. That is, one lateral face of each element has a female interlock po'rtion that maybe termed a longitudinally-extendinggroove or recess or cylindrical section; The other lateral face of each element has a similar shape of male form. Thelateral faces of individual elements I2b maybe separated from each other by suitable die apparatus or cutting tools. I preferably enter the tools from the side of the material due' to the wedge shape of the portion cut out. Of course, it will be apparent that I may employ milling cutters, die or press cutting'instruments in forming'the elements of the various modifications shown. However, I prefer a complementarily-shaped cutter or a suitable knife-like instrument for forming the elements of Figures 12-14, inclusive. The interlock portions 1% are preferably pressed out in a manner similar to that indicated in Figures 4 and 7 of the previously described embodiment; side insertion and removal of the die gang is advisable.

In Figures 15-1711, inclusive, I have shown another form of element l2c having a modified form of interlock I9c or I 90'. This form is advantageous inthat the separate dieing and cutting operations for forming and separating thelateral faces of the elements may be combined .in one operation. Thatis, I can employ one or more cuttingblades 26c having suitable male and female interlock cutting portions 21c on the lateral faces thereof. Due to the inclination of the interlock I 90 or I 9c',' the "tool may be removed without fiexing the elements I about their connecting lug portions or strip I50. This methgcl'is thus particularly advantageous where the connecting portions I56 are too thinor too.

heavy to be suitably flexed. The entry of the tool 260 is preferably laterallyof the bar from may be moved acrosseither at an angle with reference thereto, or may be moved straight across if the portions 21c are inclined, as indicated for the elements I2c in Figures 17 and 17a,

with the same inclination as the interlock portions I90 which are to be formed.

In'the' form of interlock I90 shown in Figure 17, the curved portion I90 extends from one side edge of the element to, the other, while in Figure 17a, the portion I90 extends from one side edge ito a top edge of the .element. The inclination or taper of the interlock, together with its male and female complementary relationship with respect to adjacent elements when assembled on I suitable carriers prevents the unlocking of the elements laterally across the material being closed as well as in any other direction. The interlock is relatively simple and easy to stamp out or cut out, and the tools by which it is formed can be readily removed. The inclined pin-like interlock portion I 90 or I9c' also makes possible an-extremely smooth action of the slider in looking and unlocking a group of assembled elementse Since a slider normally has an element-separating lug that extends in a straight vertical plane, the interlock I90 will be progressively contacted 0 along its length, producing an exceptionally smooth locking and unlocking action. 01 course, the element-separating lug of the slider incline if desired.

Figure 18 shows a group of fastener elements;

I such as illustrated in Figures 12-14, inclusive-, in

amounted and assembled relationship such that.

tions of the elements or of the con ecting strip I 7 lid may be drilled out, at 31 to receive a suitable locking pin for better holding a carrier in position. The carrier maybe additionally cemented I to the inside of the recess in any suitable manner.

,75 In Figures 21 and 22, I have illustrated another which the elements are formed, and the tool-- form of element [2e having straight side leg portions He andinclined. interlock or top portions He. The spacing between the elements He is preferably cut out by moving a cutting or punching tool laterally from one side of the piece of bar-like material to the other.

of the track elements relative to the top and bottom edges thereof depend upon various However, I prefer: to locate these portions substantially midway between the interdie members employed in the manner indicated Q in Figures 4 and 7 of a previously described embodiment. The locking action of the elements is obtained in this type of construction by reason of the double inclination of their interlock lateral face portions. That is, each element is inclined with respect to its legs to prevent an interlocked assembly from being pulled apart laterally thereof, and is also inclined or bent from one side edge to the other, see particularly Figure 22, in

' order to prevent an assembly from being pulled apart edgewise of the elements, or in other words, at right angles to such assembly. I have discovered that the pull on the elements employing factors.

lock I 9 and the recess in the legsofthe element. This gives a much stronger arrangement and simplifies the construction of the slider. I also contemplate inwardly inclining the groove 31 as well as the lugs 38 on one side plate of the slider 39; in such a case, the opposite side plate may be eliminated and grooves or track portions provided on only one side'edge of the element l2h.

In any of the elements shown, I may drill out the leg portions thereof and/or the connecting portions [5 to receive suitable securing blocks .or lugs 36. See particularly Figures 15-17, inclusive, and 19 and 20. v

' In Figures 29 and 30, I have shown another method of making suitable fastener elements from a bar-like piece of material |07.- In this construction, I provide a pair of dies 45 and 46 V which are relatively movable with respect to each an ordinary form of slider is substantially in a straight lateral plane across the assembly or the opening in the article which is being interlocked' Thus, elements having faceslaterally inclined cannot be pulled apart in this direction. Of

course, I contemplate the use of a suitable bottom stop and a suitable slider.. The slider and the bottomstop aid in preventing a laterallyinclined out-pull or unlocking of the elements of an assembly.

In Figures23 and 24, I have shown another formv of inclined element Hf. Thistype-of element is laterally inclined along its full height and is attached to the carrier fabric 3| in such an inclined relationship. That is, the connecting portion [5], if left in position, will. be parallel to the carrier tape inserted in the recess portions l3f. Like the elements shown in Figure 22, the elements l2! also have their lateral faces inclined or bent from one edge thereof to the v other edge thereof.

length of each element. This laterally inclined type of element may be preferable from the standpoint of simplicity in manufacture, in that In this case, however, the inclination is preferably along the full lateral the lateral faces of the elements may be separated and formed by a simple cut made between them.

In this connection, a milling cutter it, see Figure such as indicated for the embodiments of Figures 21-24, inclusive.-

In Figures 26-28 inclusive, I have shown a suitable type of element l2h provided with track portions '31 cut in opposite side edges thereof. These track portions, being formed as shown, are adapted to receive entrant inwardly-extending and complementary projecting edges 33 of 'a slider 39. In this arrangement, the slider, instead of moving along thebase portions of the legs of an element, may move along track portions formed in such element. The positioning other, as indicated by the directional arrows, to simultaneously form a full length of bar in the manner indicated in Figure 30. That is, I pro- .vide, in effect, leg portions or carrier-receiving recesses adjacent one end of the element of a plurality of elements in bar-likeform by pressing, extruding, or rolling them out. Y

After a length has been formed as indicated in Figure 30,-individual elements may be severed and/or spaced with respect to each other and interlock portions may be provided in any suitable manner such as previously indicated. However, I also contemplate forming, spacing, and/or separating individual elements by extruding the elements I! which have been formed, for example, in a manner such as indicated in Figures 1-7, inclusive. The elements H can be severed (if they are -to be mounted in a severed relationship) before or after being mounted on a carrier 3|. They are preferably severel before they are removed from the gang die mechanism. The

auxiliary device includes spaced-apart wedge-like entering elements .40 mounted on a shaft 42 and resiliently held in position by spiral springs ll.

Although I have shown various element forms and/or relationships and methods of fabricating and/or assembling them, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other forms of elements and/or procedures may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It is true that I preferably maintain elements l2, .l2a, etc., in a connected relationship while I subjecting them to the various fabricating or treating steps which may include the cutting of suitable carrier recess slots'therein, the forming I or separating of their lateral faces, and/or the forming of interlockportions. Further, I also contemplate holding them in such. a relationship while subjecting them to anodizing or other suitable coloring process or treatments.

My invention is equally applicable to any suit.- Y

able form of materials, whethermetal or fabric, resilient fiber or plastic. I may also employ the elements as separated or in a connected relationship after they have-becnmounted on suitable carriers. The separatiqmif accomplished by some such means as shown in Figure 31, may be effected at any desired time, between the various fabricating, treating, assembling, or mounting steps, or after all of these-steps have been finished.

I also contemplate spraying, especially hot metal spraying, the elements with materials of different color or different corrosion-resisting characteristics to, in effect, provide an adherent surface layer having a pleasing appearance, color, and/or corrosion-resisting qualities. I also contemplate suitably bufiing the elements at various stages in the operations; ,this is apparent to those skilled in the art and need not be here further emphasized. However, the buffing operations may be simplified by accomplishing as many of the forming operations as possible by rolling or pressing the bar-like piece of material.

See, for example, Figures 29 and 30. If the fin-' ishing rolling operation is a cold rolling operation, a pleasing surface form may be provided.

In view of the above considerations, therefore, it will appear to those skilled in the art that many other forms, relationships, steps, additions, modifications, subtractions, or combinations thereof may be made in connection with the above invention without .departing' from the spirit and scope thereof as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An interlocking fastener element of suitable material having a body portion provided with opposite lateral faces and being bounded by top, bottom, and opposite side edge portions substantially representing the thickness of the body between lateral faces, said body being arranged for operative positioningwith respect to a carrier at an end thereof adjacent the-bottom edge, a single concave-shaped interlock ofsubstantially semi-circular cross-section extending along one of the lateral faces at an angle with respect to the top edge, and a single convex interlock of :substantially semi-circular cross-section extending in a similar manner along the other lateral face.

2. An interlocking fastener element of suitable material having a body provided with opposite lateral faces and being bounded by top, bottom, and opposite side edge portions substantially representing the thickness of the body between lateral faces, said .body being arranged for operative positioning with respect to a carrier at an end thereof adjacent the bottom edge, a single, concave-shaped interlock of substantially semicircular cross-section entrant from one edge portion and extending along one of the lateral faces at an angle with respect to the top edge, and a single convex interlock of substantially semi-circular cross-section form entrant from an edge portion and extending in a substantially similar manner along the other lateral face.

3. An interlocking fastener element of suitable material having a body provided with opposite lateral faces and being bounded by top, bottom, and'opposite side edge portions substantially representing the thickness of the body portion between lateral faces, a concave-shaped interlock entrant from the top edge and extending obliquely along one of the lateral faces to a side edge thereof, and a convex-shaped interlock entrant from the top edge and extending in a similar manner along the other lateral face.

4. An interlocking fastener element of suit able material having a body provided with opposite lateral faces and top, bottom, and side edge portions substantially representing the thickness of the body between lateral faces, said body being arranged for operative positioning .with respect to a carrier at an end thereof afl- 'jacent the bottom edge, a single concave-shaped interlock entrant from the top edge and extending alongone of the lateral faces at an angle with respect to the top edge, and a single convex interlock entrant from the top edge and extending in a similar manner along the other lateral face; the thickness of the body being substantially the same along the lateral faces thereof up to said single concave and convex shaped interlocks.

5. An interlocking fastener element of suitable material having a body provided with opposite lateral faces and being bounded .by top, bottom,

and side edge portions substantially representing the thickness of the body between lateral faces, said body being arranged for operable positioning with respect to a carrier'at an end thereof adjacent the bottom edge, a concave interlock of substantially semi-circular cross-section extending from one edge portion obliquely with respect to the top edge portion across one of the lateral faces to another edge portion, said concave interlock having longitudinally and transversely continuous-wall portions along its I length, a convex interlock of substantially semicircular cross-section extending in a similarmanner along the other lateral face, said convex interlock having longitudinally and transversely continuous wall portions along the length thereof, said body having a substantially uniform thickness along face portions thereof up to bounding edge portions of said concave and convex interlocks.

6. An interlocking fastener element of suit-- ablematerial having a body provided with opposite lateral faces and top. 'bottom, and'side edge portions substantially representing the thickness of the body between lateral faces, said body being arranged for operative positioning with respect to a carrier at an end thereof adjacent the bottom edge, a concave-shaped interlock entrant from the top edge and extending along one of the lateral faces, and a convex interlock entrant .from the top edge and extendrepresenting the thickness of the body between lateral faces, said body being arranged .for operative positioning with respect to a carrier at an end thereof adjacent the bottom edge, each of said lateral faces having a single planar portion inclining in two angular directions with respect to the bottom edge for providing an interlock.

' THOMAS G. IBILER.

Patent No. 2,275,454 Granted March 10, 1942 THOMAS G. MILLER The above entitled patent was extended January 1, 1952, under the provisions of the act of June 30, 1950, for 6 years and 352 days from the expiration of the original term thereof.

Oommz'ssioner of Patents. 

